No rush to charge Yanks in pen brawl, police say

BOSTON  New York Yankees right-hander Jeff Nelson and outfielder Karim Garcia are not close to being charged for their roles in the fight in the bullpen during the ninth inning of Saturdays Game 3, Boston police said Tuesday.

Peter Zellen

Published
12:00 am EDT, Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Boston police spokeswoman Mariellen Burns told MLB.com Tuesday that the fight, which involved a Fenway Park grounds crew member and ended up in a pile-on that included police and stadium security, could be under investigation for several weeks and that they wont rush.

"We know who we believe are the parties involved and we have no reason to believe that they are going anywhere," Burns said. "Were making efforts to speak to all parties involved. Summons may be issued, but were still looking into it."

Both players could be charged with assault and battery  a misdemeanor.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said he didnt know of any member of the Yankees being interviewed by police.

Nelson claims that the grounds crew member, Paul Williams, had been waving a Red Sox towel and cheering for the Red Sox while sitting in the Yankees bullpen. Nelson asked Williams to stop and the verbal altercation quickly became physical with Nelson and Williams on the ground.

The police report has a witness account of Nelson pushing Williams and punching him once they were both on the ground. Police also said that Garcia was seen hitting Williams with his left hand. Garcia came away from the fight with a big cut on his left hand.

Williams was hospitalized Saturday night with cuts on his back that were initially believed to be cleat marks.

Nelson and Garcia havent said anything about the incident since Sunday because of the ongoing police investigation, but both have maintained their innocence throughout.

The prevailing belief is that even if the Boston police are ready to charge Nelson, Garcia or any member of the Yankees, they will wait until after the American League Championship Series for fear of reprisals by the New York City Police Department toward members of the Red Sox today or Thursday.

Visiting teams in New York normally get police escorts to and from games to avoid traffic jams.

PLAYERS APPEAL FINES

Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and Karim Garcia all appealed the fines imposed on them following Game 3 of the ALCS.

Martinez was fined $50,000, Ramirez $25,000 and Garcia $10,000 on Sunday, a day after a series of confrontations between the Yankees and Red Sox at Bostons Fenway Park.

In the bottom of the inning, Ramirez took offense to a pitch from Roger Clemens and started toward the mound, bat in hand. That set off a bench-clearing incident during which New York coach Don Zimmer lunged at Martinez, who threw him to the ground.

Union lawyer Bob Lenaghan said the appeals were filed Tuesday with the commissioners office. Because the penalties didnt involve suspensions, there is no urgency to hold a hearing.

"We havent discussed scheduling," Lenaghan said.

Zimmer, who was fined $5,000, apologized Sunday for his actions.

MILESTONE BLAST FOR MANNY

Ramirezs home run to lead off the fourth inning of Game 5 was the 16th postseason home run of his career, moving him past Babe Ruth into sole possession of fifth place on the career list. Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle sit atop the list with 18.

The home run was also the 15th of this postseason for the Red Sox, tying the team record set in 1999.

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

About 400 fans who had tickets for Sundays rained out Game 4 got another dose of bad luck when they had to use them for Tuesdays Game 5. Originally scheduled to attend a night game on Sunday, those fans were hurt by Tuesdays afternoon start.

For afternoon starts, a portion of the center field seats at Fenway Park is covered by a black tarp, so there isnt a distraction for the hitter. So the fans who would normally be sitting there for a night game ended up having to stand for the game, mostly in the upper deck sections looking over right field.

Displaced fans were given a $10 credit good for Red Sox merchandise.

A ROOTING INTEREST

Both Game 6 starters  New Yorks Andy Pettitte and Bostons John Burkett  opted to stay with their respective teams to watch Game 5 from the dugout with their teammates, rather than fly to New York in advance, which is customary.

"I kind of want to be here with the team, obviously," Pettitte said. "Its not going to be late getting back in. Were going to get home at a good hour."